Winners of the IET South Asia ‘Present Around the World’ (PATW) Competition Announced

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) announced Shubham Saraff, 3rd year student of Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai as the winner of the IET South Asia 'Present round the World (PATW) 2017 finals in a ceremony that took place at My Fortune Hotel, Bangalore. PATW is a global presentation competition for students, graduates and young professionals aged 18-30 years and aims to provide a platform to showcase and explore their talent and innovative thinking.

Shubham Saraff’s winning presentation focused on the topic “Neuron that shape our Civilization”.

He was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 40,000 (£ 400) and will now compete in the global finals to be held in London during November  this year for a cash prize of Rs. £1,000 (approx. Rs. 100,000/-). Kshipra Rajhans, 4^th year student from K K Wagh Institute of Engineering Education & Research, Nashik was declared runner up for her presentation on the topic “Smart City” and was awarded with the cash prize of Rs. 30,000 (£300).

The competition aims to instill a sense of culture of application for engineers, where they use their technical knowledge to solve a social problem and develop their communication skills in the process. As part of the competition, the individual competitors give a presentation for 10 minutes on a subject related to engineering and technology.

The IET, having taken the initiative to conduct SA PATW, short lists candidates and trains them to get ready for the competition. The competition gives engineering aspirants an exposure and recognition at a global level and the IET supports and mentors the shortlisted candidates throughout.

This year, the competition witnessed participation from engineers across India and Sri Lanka vying for the top honors. The jury included Gangaraj H S Deputy Chief Engineer BMRC, Chinari Badrinath Prusty, Director Risk and Finance IT, Credit Suisse, G Uday Shankar, CEO of Brand Equity and Vivek Saxena, MD Career Modifiers.

On the side lines of the event, Shekhar Sanyal, Country Head and Director, IET India said “With the curriculum changes being made, Universities and Education bodies are focusing on skill development programmes for students. With the focus largely being on technical skills, soft-skills is taking a back seat. It is important for students to enhance their communication skills in order to apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained into practical solutions. Being a go-to source for engineering institutions, the IET conducts competitions like PATW which helps provide a unique platform for students and young professionals to showcase their presentation skills and in turn contribute to their holistic development. We are really happy about the response we have received for this competition over the years.”

Free Seminar for Multiple Sclerosis by Vikram Hospital and Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI)

Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru’s trusted quaternary care and multi-specialty health   facility in association with Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) is organising a Free Seminar & Consultation Camp for patients with multiple sclerosis. 

The camp will include interactive session on Mechanism of MS diseases, Advances in treatment of MS, Memory & Cognitive issues in MS.

Yoga, meditation & physiotherapy for MS patients will be demonstrated by experts during the workshop.

For free registration and camp related queries please call 8884416662 @ Vikram Hospital or 9945012626@ MSSI

The camp will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - 9:00am to 11am. The entry is free and will be held at the Vikram Hospital, Millers Road, Opp St Anne’s College, Bengaluru.

Home Healthcare Services a Viable Solution to Fight Shortage of Beds this Dengue Season

The much-awaited monsoon rains, while bringing immense relief from the oppressive summer heat, also heralds dreaded cases of diseases like dengue, chikungunya, typhoid and malaria. Until May 31 2017, even before the onset of monsoon, a total of 11,402 cases of dengue and 11 deaths due to the virus have been reported throughout the country. Kerala with 4,735 cases, recorded 41.5% of the total dengue cases. In the capital Delhi, while the numbers haven't gone up as much, they are certainly on the rise. The latest data released by the Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) mentions a total of 61 dengue and 131 chikungunya cases in the city and neighboring areas right from January onwards, which is usually considered to be a non-transmission period. On a worrying note, there were 21 cases of dengue and 35 of chikungunya in just one week in June.

As was witnessed in the last few years, the pressure on the resources of hospitals, both private and public, is enormous during this season. The Delhi government has already issued a circular directing hospitals to increase their approved bed strength by 10–20% for a period of six months. Along with existing wards, these extra beds are to be accommodated in corridors and waiting areas as well. News about makeshift beds built using stretchers, sticks and duct tapes isn't uncommon during this period. Such is the toll the outbreak of dengue and chikungunya can take. This is when alternative health delivery services like homecare proves to be most efficient in tackling the emergency.

Dr.GauravThukral, Senior Vice -PresidentandBusinessUnitDirector,HCAH said, “By providing requisite medical services within the patient’s home, homecare provides a viable solution for both hospitals and patients. While the former can widen their reach by freeing beds for new patients during demanding times like the upsurge in dengue cases, the latter does not have to worry about not finding adequate care, as all necessary medical set-up will be made available at their own place of residence. Homecare services cover around 70% of all healthcare requirements of a patient. This includes pathology tests, medical equipment rentals and purchases and medicine delivery. Thus, patients affected with dengue can be effectively treated within the confines of their homes where they can receive personalized care and undergo treatment and recovery in an environment they are most comfortable in”.

Dengue is caused by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the Aedesaegypti species. The mosquito gets infected with the dengue virus when it feeds on an infected person’s blood. Symptoms of denguestart manifesting about four to six days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. A drop in the platelet count is a major characteristic symptom of dengue fever. The other most common symptoms are high body temperature, headache, pain behind the eyes, joints and muscles pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, skin rashes and low blood pressure. In some cases, the disease can develop into a more serious form called Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF). 

Although the vaccination for dengue fever was approved for use in dengue endemic areas in April 2016, it is yet to be adopted for use. A suspected dengue patient should undergo a few essential lab-tests in order to confirm the disease and subsequently administer appropriate course of treatment. These tests include Dengue Serology test, Dengue NS1 Antigen test and a complete blood (platelet) count test. With home based medical services, patientsnow have the option of getting these tests done in their respective homes. Home healthcare providers like HealthCare atHOME (HCAH) offers lab sample collection facility at home for dengue patients as well as for other diseases. This facility has made it convenient for patients who are already suffering from fever or other illnesses to get the blood tests done within their comfort zone.  This is done by the team of highly trained DMLT certified phlebotomists and NABL accredited labs.

He further added, “In addition to the growing line of patients, the risks of hospital-acquired infections can further affect dengue patients while aggravating the already encumbered hospital infrastructure. Even with the very best of precautions, it isn't possible to eliminate the risk of infection. Especially during an emergency like dengue outbreaks, this can be hard to avoid when many patients are suffering from weak immunity. While dengue itself is a non-communicable disease, there are chances of contracting several other infections. Those with existing medical conditions like diabetes and very young and very old patients face highest risks. The repercussions of hospital-acquired infections are many. While causing added illness, they can result in longer recovery time and longer stay in hospitals. This can be strenuous to both the patients and the hospitals. However, with home based medical care, the risks of such infections are removed since treatment is done within the patient’s home. Therefore, homecare isn't just a convenient healthcare service for patients but is also an extension of the services provided by regular hospitals. By vacating beds, widening the reach of doctors and reducing chances of infections, homecare not only proves to be invaluable but also indispensable for the efficient treatment of dengue and chikungunya”.

Home based healthcare operates in a simple but well-regulated manner. Consulting doctors and physicians advise treatments for patients, which the professionally trained homecare health providers implement accordingly. With the help of advanced communication technology, doctors are kept in the loop about the patient’s condition all the time and real-time data can be shared with them. This allows the doctors to intervene at any point of time, giving them complete control over their patients and making the care dynamic.

Preparations and precautions for the outbreak of dengue andchikungunya need to be carried out well in advance. While the government and the hospitals are doing their part in increasing bed numbers and ensuring medical resources are up to date, homecare can be a part of this preparatory measures by being an extension of the hospital services and work as a distributed hospital itself within the precinct of the patient’s home.

De Beers Donates Rs 1 Crore for Education & Empowering Girl Child and Supporting the Needy Children at GJEPC’s CSR Initiative

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), in association with De Beers, presented the third edition of the ‘Jewellers for Hope’ gala charity dinner with an aim to collaboratively contribute for the upliftment of downtrodden and support the needy on the evening of July 27 (inaugural day of IIJS 2017).  Banker& Philanthropist Amruta Devendra Fadnavis and Actor Arjun Kapoor graced the occasion. This year the proceeds shall go to Girl Rising, Nanhi Kali NGOs working for the empowerment of Girl Child and Make a Wish Foundation, an NGO playing an integral role by granting the most cherished wish of Children living with life threatening illnesses hailing from socio economically backward society.

Cheques amounting to Rs. 1 crore were presented to three NGOs - with Rs. 33 lakhs each to Girl Rising and Make a Wish and Rs. 35 lakhs to Nanhi Kali Foundation. Noted singer Rekha Bhardwaj regaled audiences with a soul-stirring live performance. The event was hosted by the inimitable Mandira Bedi.  

Praveenshankar Pandya (Chairman, GJEPC), Russell Mehta (Vice Chairman, GJEPC) and Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President, Global Sightholder Sales, De Beers Group, hosted several jewellers, celebrities and prominent personalities expressed their views on aiding & empowering girl child during the black tie sit-down dinner. Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India and many other prominent personalities from the gems & jewellery sector attended the event.

Praveenshankar Pandya, Chairman, GJEPC, says, “CSR is the fabric of the gems & jewellery industry to help those in need and share happiness and we want to take it one step further to focus on collaborative social responsibility. The gem & jewellery industry has been involved in large-scale philanthropic and charitable activities particularly in the field of education and health long before CSR became mandatory. This year, our industry has collectively come together through Jewellers for Hope in association with De Beers to fund three leading NGOs – Nanhi Kali and Girl Rising devoted to empowerment of the girl child; and Make a Wish dedicated to granting the most cherished wish of children between 5-15 years. Giving Back to the Society will make a big difference and transform the lives of many. I am overwhelmed by the contribution by the industry donors and convey gratitude to De Beers, whose support made this event successful.”    

Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President, Global Sightholder Sales, De Beers Group, said, “At De Beers and Forevermark, we have a strong focus on the upliftment of women as we know how important they are to all aspects of our business – as employees, as government partners, as consumers, as community stakeholders, as ambassadors and as inspirations. They are a huge part – in fact by far the largest part – of our future success and we see it as a clear priority to improve the prospects of women and girls around the world.”

Russell Mehta, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Purchasing Jewellery is a joyous occasion in itself and the gem & jewellery industry serves joy and happiness with every purchase. CSR is a step further in spreading happiness in the lives of people but more importantly through Jewellers for Hope, we focus on Collaborative Social Responsibility rather than corporate social responsibility. Consolidated efforts will give an impetus to the magnification of the impact of each one who takes up the challenge of making a difference. Jewellery industry has a heart and we are here to spread happiness.”

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) was set up by the Ministry of Commerce and industry, Government of India (GoI) in 1966. It was one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today it represents over 6,000 exporters in the sector. 

With headquarters in Mumbai, the GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, the GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs, and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.

Robots Will Now Assist Surgeons in Hair Transplant at Hairline International

Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic has launched a novel means of  Hair Transplant at their clinic. Known as the Human Assisted Rapid Robotic Hair Transplant (HARRTS), now a Robot will maximize hair transplant results manifold when compared to conventional methods of FUT, FUE and the combination technique. It also reduces the time frame in which a transplant takes place.

Explaining the functioning of the Robotic Hair Transplant system, ‘Dr. Dinesh G Gowda, Dermatosurgeon, Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic says, “While the dermatosurgeon is the one who inputs required fields in terms of depth for extraction and implantation, number of follicles to be extracted as well as the area of implantation, it is the robot that accurately carries out the entire procedure’.

“The Robot It consists of a hand piece that is uniquely designed for speed, safety and accuracy. Placed close to the hand piece is the Cold Bio-Fluid Storage canister which ensures that the grafts have good survival rate in the cold storage safety punch. Each of the punches are uniquely designed for accurate depth control and the silicone covering over the step prevents rotational skin abrasion that is common. The implanter is the first of its kind in the world that implants grafts with and without a slit creation thereby avoiding any unnecessary incisions into the skin, oozing or the flooding of grafts, pop outs etc ensuring that the implantation time is reduced by half when compared to other methods of transplant”, adds Dr. Gowda.

Speaking on introducing Robotic Hair Transplant at Hairline International, Bani Anand, Founder and Managing Director, Hairline International Hair and Skin Clinic says, “We have seen that patients want procedures that are quick, minimally painful and non invasive which yield the best results. Robotic Hair Transplant ensures high levels of accuracy and results. In fact, considering the reduced number of personnel required to complete the procedure, the patient is much more at ease as well. The system also comes with an integrated cloud data management system which makes programing of depth for extraction and implantation easy and accurate”.

Robotic Hair Transplant ensures that the infection rate and bleeding is minimal as the procedure is extremely accurate in terms of depth and breadth of extraction or implantation of the hair. In fact, depth control can be pre-fixed using a calibrated computerized approach. The procedure ensures that there is minimal exposure of hair follicles to an external environment reducing dessication and depth the follicles and thus enhancing the results of a hair transplant. 

10th Edition of Brigade’s Annual Property Exhibition from August 5-6

Brigade, one of India’s leading developers headquartered in Bengaluru is organizing the 10^thedition of its exclusive and popular property exhibition, ‘Brigade Showcase’ on August 5 and 6 2017 across Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangalore and Mysore. Brigade Showcase 2017, will feature a range of over 30 residential projects across south India with budgets ranging from Rs. 45 lacs to Rs. 6.5 Cr and also commercial projects. Customers could avail lowest price offers, furnishings, assured gold and additional spot offers at the event. The event is open from 11 am to 8 pm on both the days.

According to M R Jaishankar, Chairman and Managing Director, Brigade Enterprises Limited: ‘Brigade Showcase has garnered a reputation for being the best time to buy a Brigade property at the lowest price, from a wide array of projects, all under one roof. We genuinely think what our customers do this weekend will decide the way they will spend the rest of their lifetime. We look forward to our discerning buyers to use this opportunity to Upgrade to Brigade.’

Tejas Networks Net Profit Up 20.09 Cr from Loss of 1.75 Cr Year-On-Year

Tejas Networks has reported its financial results for the first quarter ending June 30, 2017.

Tejas Networks designs, develops, manufactures and sells high-performance and cost-competitive optical and data networking products, which are used to build high-speed communication networks over optical fiber.

The consolidated revenues for the quarter grew by 49.0% year-on-year led by strong growth in domestic business. Our operating margins grew by 251.6% year-on-year. Our operating margin was 12.8% in Q1’18 compared to 5.4% in Q1’17. Our net profit after tax in Q1’18 was 9.2% as compared to net loss of 1.2% in Q1’17.

Sanjay Nayak, CEO and MD of Tejas Networks said, “with exponential increase in data traffic in mobile as well as fixed-line broadband networks, we are witnessing a strong demand for our optical transmission equipment. During the quarter, we saw strong revenue growth especially from our Indian customers”.

During the quarter we completed our Initial Public Offer (IPO) of shares, raising Rs. 450 crore by issuance of 1,75,09,727 shares to retail and institutional shareholders.  The primary object of the issue is to fund our R&D, increased working capital needs and general corporate purposes.

As of June 30, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents amounted to Rs.304.83 crore. Our debt as on that date was Rs 15.22 crore.

Venkatesh Gadiyar, CFO said, “our strong balance sheet provides us a perfect platform to seize any growth opportunity in the market place. We continue to invest heavily in R&D and sales. During the quarter we also saw significant expansion in operating and net profits of the company".

During Q1’18, Tejas supplied a large portion of GPON products for Government of India’s flagship Bharatnet project for providing broadband to villages.  Arnob Roy, President, Optical Products said, “we are pleased to partner with the Indian government to execute the prestigious BharatNet project using our leading-edge GPON product.”

Tejas has filed 337 patents to date and during Q1’18, Tejas won the award for “Top Indian Private Company (MSME) for Patent & Commercialization” from the Department of Industrial Policy and Intellectual Property Office, Government of India. Tejas also won the Clarivate Analytics “India Innovation Award– Top 50”.